Mr. VANIK. I know them and I work with them, and we are doing everything we can to develop a consensus. I would say that these views are my own, that I don't know how we can move to a great dramatic program with the country in the situation it is in. I think we have to deal with realities. My own thinking has been that perhaps the best we can reach at this time would be coverage for catastrophic illnesses. That is the political climate. There are too many other problems that I think overwhelm us. That is my individual view. Every member here has views about what the prospects are for legislation. I want to say, gentlemen, that we very much appreciate your time and your contribution. We would like to get back to you with some of the special problems as they affect people, and I don't mean all problems. I mean confine the problems to those which give us the greatest amount of trouble. We appreciate your time and your splendid contribution, and I hope because of this process you might think better of us, and maybe have some appreciation of the fact that we are trying to become technicians. Some of us have been here a long time trying to develop skills in the art of legislation. It is as much an art in my judgment as the art of medicine. I think that the efforts over the years would probably prove that to be substantially true. I think by and large Members of Congress are dedicated people. We are trying to do the very best we can in a very complex situation. We don't have the same things that you have. You have some certainties in your business; as uncertain as medicine is, you have a lot of certainties. We deal with uncertain times and uncertain conditions, and there is constantly a change and flux, and I am very much concerned. I want you to know one of the things that makes me very, very concerned is how these frustrations are going to make it more difficult for some of our best men to stay here. I am very much worried about that, and I think the American people should be worried about that, because at times it is completely overwhelming. Thank you very much. [Whereupon, at 2:45 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned, to reconvene at the call of the Chair.] о |